Petticoat or the like



g 22, 1961 s. WILLIAMS 2,996,725

PETTICOAT OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 13, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l fpfl'a (I/NVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Aug. 22, 1961 e. WILLIAMS PETTICOAT OR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13, 1958 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent York Filed Jan. 13, 1958, Ser. No. 708,718 1 Claim. (Cl. 2-2-11) This invention relates to lingerie and, more particularly, to a novel petticoat or half slip providing a close fit for use underneath sheath type outer garments while permitting full freedom of movement in sitting or walkmg.

As the terms are understood in the art today, petticoats and half slips are undergarments not extending above the waist, as distinguished from full slips. These garments are designed to be essentially shadow proof and, when used under sheath type outer garments, must have a close conforming fit so as not to present bulges and folds visible as interruptions in the otherwise smooth surface of the outer garment. However, in order to achieve this clinging or conforming fit, the petticoats or slips as hitherto constructed have greatly restricted freedom of movement in sitting or walking. For example, only short steps could be taken in walking and, in preparing to sit, it was necessary to use extreme care to prevent riding up of the undergarment.

In accordance with the present invention, such restrictions on movement are eliminated, without loss of a clinging or conforming fit, by a novel arrangement of a rear slit and an overhanging panel in combination with a novel combination of cut of the fabric in the front and rear of the petticoat or half slip.

Thus, the petticoat or half slip of the present invention comprises a front panel which is cut from the material so as to have transverse stretchability and increases in width from the waistband towards an intermediate zone of said panel, and thereafter decreases in width toward the hem line. This front panel has a pair of flaps extending rearwardly from its side edges and cut in one piece with the front panel, and these flaps extend upwardly from the hem line less than half way to the waistband. The outer edges of these flaps are spaced from each other to form a slit in the rear of the garment.

The back panel or flap extends from the waistband to the hem line and is cut from the material so as to have only vertical stretchability. This back panel overlaps the fiaps of the front panel and is joined to the up per edges of these flaps by downwardly convex seams. Above these flaps, the side edges of the front and rear panels are joined by stitched seams. At the waistband, the width of the rear panel is preferably substantially greater than that of the front panel.

The slit between the edges of the flaps, in combination with the transverse stretchability of the front panel, provides the necessary flexibility for freedom of movement in walking or sitting. At the same time, the back panel, extensively overlapping the slit and having substantially no give, or at most very little, provides a snug conforming fit at the back of the garment.

For an understanding of the invention principles, reference is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are, respectively, front, rear and left side elevation views of the petticoat or half slip in the normal hanging position;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the garment with back panel lifted and a flap turned back; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing, the petticoat or half slip 10 comprises a front panel 20, having side flaps 25, and a rear panel 30. Front panel 20 and side flaps 25 are cut from a single piece of material so as to have stretchability in a transverse direction. Rear panel 30 is cut from the material so as to have little or no stretchability transversely, but to have stretchability in a vertical direction.

Front panel 20 is preferably relatively narrow at waistband 15 and increases in width towards an intermediate zone of said panel, and thereafter decreases in width toward the bottom hem line 11. Side flaps 25 extend from the side edges 21 of panel 20 rearwardly toward each other to leave a slip 22 therebetween. Flaps 25 extend upwardly from hem line 11 less than half the length of petticoat 10, and have downwardly convex upper edges.

Rear panel 30 is referably relatively wide at waistband 15 and narrows toward hem line 11. The side edges of panel 30 are stitched to the side edges of panel 20 from Waistband 15 to the upper edges of flaps 25, as indicated by seams 31. Panel 30 is also stitched to the upper edges of flaps 25 by seams 32. Panel 30 overlaps flaps 25 for substantially the full width of the latter.

For decorative purposes, a strip of lace 16 extends around waistband 15, and a strip of lace 12 extends along hem line 11 and upwardly along the outer edges of flaps 25. A strip of lace 33 extends along seams 31 and continues around the side and bottom edges of rear panel 30. A decorative strip of lace 23 is seamed along front panel 20 somewhat above hem line 11, and short decorative lace strips 34 are seamed across rear panel 30 above its lower end.

When petticoat 10 is worn, panel 30 overlies flaps 25 and slit 22 therebetween, and these flaps may move outwardly a substantial distance without being uncovered by panel 30. Thus walking and sitting freedom is provided, with panel 30 assuring complete shadow proof rear coverage at all times.

While a petticoat, or half slip is illustrated in the drawings, the invention can be incorporated readily in a full slip.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

A petticoat or half slip comprising a main piece of material cut to provide a front panel extending from the waistline to a bottom hem line and side flaps extending rearwardly from the side edges of said front panel between said hem line and a level intermediate said hem line and waistline, the free edges of said side flaps de fining a slit at the rear of the garment, said front panel having lateral stretchability; and a supplementary piece of material cut to provide a rear panel extending from the waistline to substantially said hem line, the side edges of saidrear panel being securedto-thesideedges of said front panel from said flaps to the waistline, and being secured to the upper edges of said flaps; said rear panel being free from and overlapping said flaps below said level, and having only vertical stretchability; said front panel increasing in width from the waistline toward substantially the midpoint of its length and thereafter decreasing in width toward said hemline, and said rear panel decreasing in width from the waistline to said hemline.

References Cited-in the file'of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Weatherly June 14, 1932 Schrank Jan. 10, 1933 Glover May 9, 1939 Murdock Mar. 29, 1949 Johnson Dec. 27, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Apr. 15, 1955 

